How to Protect Painted Shower Tiles

Preserve painted shower tiles using special sealant.

Painted shower tiles add beauty, inspiration or memories to your home shower, giving it a more personalized and relaxing feel. You can protect painted shower tiles from damage from daily use of your shower by applying a sealant. Tile sealants are waterproof and flexible, which protects the tiles and grout from mold growth that is common in high moisture areas. The sealant will also keep dirt from adhering to the porous surfaces, making them require less cleaning and cleaning products.

1

Thoroughly dry the entire shower area. Use old towels to absorb any visible water. Do not use the shower for at least two days if the wall behind the tiles is drywall and five days for concrete backer board prior to sealing the tiles. The building materials must be completely dry to avoid the growth of deadly mold. The sealant will work best if the shower has not been used since the tiles were installed.

2

Scrape away all the silicone caulk from around the edges of the tiles. Caulk is used to seal the gaps between a tub or shower doors and the tiles.

3

Brush away loose grout between or around the tiles. Vacuum up the debris and wipe the tiles with a dry old rag to remove any particles of dust left behind.

4

Open the bathroom door and windows to avoid inhaling too many fumes from the sealant. Proper ventilation will enable faster drying of the sealant as well.

5

Fill the bathtub below the shower halfway with water to approximate the weight of someone bathing. This is necessary to avoid stretching the sealant after it dries and someone takes a bath, causing the tub to sink slightly away from the sealed tiles and thus allowing water to penetrate behind the seal.

6

Spread shower tile sealant over all the tiles using a squeegee, a sponge or the applicator tip. Saturate the wall and floor tiles and the grout. Let the sealant set for a few minutes and then wipe off the surface of the tiles with an old rag. This prevents any unsightly areas from forming as the sealant dries. The sealant will not absorb into the tiles as well as it does into the grout and drips may form on the tile.

7

Leave the sealant to cure according to the manufacturer’s directions. Typically this is overnight. Once cured, your shower is ready for use.

8

Repeat the sealing process a second time to ensure a thorough seal and that no small areas were missed.

Things You Will Need

Old towels

Brush

Vacuum

Old rags

Shower tile sealant

Tips

Periodically reseal the tiles to maintain the protection.

Dry the shower tiles completely after each use either with an old towel or by opening a window to allow air to circulate. This is necessary to resist mold and mildew buildup that will damage the tiles and grout.

Warnings

Only porous tiles will accept the sealant. Porcelain tiles are not porous and therefore cannot be sealed.

Never use ammonia-based cleaners on the shower area as this could damage the sealant.

About the Author

Based in southern Virginia, Kristy Robinson has been writing for various websites since 2008. Her work focuses on tutorials and self-help articles. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from American InterContinental University.